Imitation Of Christ

IN RECENT seasons, Imitation of Christ has not failed to make it onto the most-talked-about list at the 7th on Sixth shows. Last night, they secured their slot by staging an exciting back-to-front presentation, which put the audience on the runway and the show girls on the front row. Models armed with cameras and note pads sat in the places of fashion editors, while the journalists crowded onto the catwalk as an authoritative voice over the loudspeaker boomed: "She's gained so much weight!" and "Move along please!" Headline-grabbing indeed. And yet the collection itself, designed by Matthew Damhave and Tara Subkoff with Hollywood's most stylish star Chloe Sevigny acting as their creative director, was still the main event. There were flamenco-style white silk dresses, super-sexy open-front coat dresses, and elegant chiffon transparent numbers smothered with black silk flowers. As always, each and every item in the collection was a one-off - created by customising vintage pieces in inimitable Imitation of Christ style. (10 September 2001, PM)